Oh,

and the situation had began - she was to decide the fate of her nation, rest on her pride, or go with her? Temptation awaited as a ravenous wolf, and guilt sulked at her back, ready to nibble at her conscience. She listened closely to the other’s prattle, her head sunken to her knees - such a choice. And apparently all hte fortitude had excaped, much like the way a balloon pops under pressure. She was Tique, she was as scared and angry as she had ever been in her life, and she had a choice. Her facade remained untouched by the emotion tumult that once again wrecked havocon her insides - battering at her heart like a enraged ram. The air lost all its feeling, and to her, it seemed as though the world had diapeared - replaced by a vcuum containing her and the challenger, Hoodwink. Good lord, I hope ican pull this one off, she confided in herself. Dear reader, you must understand the situation she is in - she had between herself, and her world: the Meadow. And beacuase Tique is so pathetically sentimental, so devoted to them, she was happy to lay down her lot among the challenged. She respired, forcing the context right out of her landau, and then, via the dilating concaves, inhaling another breath. Let her breathe, let her live.... and then watch as she fights in vain for the love of a nation.

The

tendons contracted and loosed around the skeletal structures contained within the achromic marginals, as Tique a single step forward, careful to labour ver her words with candid finality. She watched her openents face carefully, suddenly grim with determination. She quivered inside, shook, rattled, but fear was a good thing: it meant you were paying attention. Her diadem glossed over, and good cheer found her - warmed her, comforted her. Nay, she wasn’t doing it in vain - she was doing it for her people. Her own true love for the people, and then, with a quick downward glance at the scaffolding, she prayed she wouldn’t injure it - but in her heart, she knew it was a worthy sacrifice, even if it would mean ... death for the unborn scion. If a sad, regretful smile would have played acoss the facade... it would of. It would have graced the face, but it didn’t, instead, she looked at her opposing combatant poised erect.


“I am a Hawk, Hoodwink. You, a majestic eagle, someone who, too, has devoted themself to a nation, know that you do not present me with two options. I know I can only take one, and though I am afraid “ (she felt no shame in that admission, for what were lies going to get her) ”... I must fight you, for the sake of my people. I will more than likely lose. But be warned, Hoodwink: they may be abscent, I may be ignorant, but I have friends. We are hawks: a nation united, and I am part of that. It’s time to prove it.”


She felt no guilt in admiting she was afraid, and already she had doubts - damn you, Tique, for being a fool! She chided herself, but already she had begun to look around for ANY advantage - anything at all. She wanted a peice of her left - to thank atalanta, to stpeak to issues, to talk onuris, to laugh with wizard. Yes, she wanted life.

The

panorama became dreay and blakc, and her eyes fused with Hoodwinks - looking at him, nothing out, feeling the dusted plane below her, istenign to the silence. SHE wasn’t ready, but she was determined if nothing else. The lucid diagnostics intensified their perception s the helves arranged themselves in a sturdy format, the body braced and ready.


“Your move is first. Good luck, and may the better bird win..”

Maybe

a little melodramatic of her - she wanted to win, but in fruitless ignorance - she knew who the victor was going to be. But optimism and hope were not to be defeated easily - remember that dear reader, when you watch her endeavors. Remember that nothing is truly in vain, and always accomplishes something. A man must have faith, must know fear, in order to have courage.

How very fortunate that she had all three.

- - -

t i q u e
universal fog - - »

- - -

cherished by none
another meadow brood
tethered to the meadow
the fallen muse
wingless bird

- - -


walking around it's clear
i'm worlds away
thinking with only half my mind
found myself wanting
to be sleeping
to be dreaming
to be worlds away
slip into bed the sheets are
cold and smooth
my tension melts to a quiet warm
find myself wanting
to be sleeping
to be dreaming
to be worlds away
i wanna be worlds away
apart from the day to day
i know i'll be okay
when I get worlds away
worlds away!
worlds away!
slipping away to somewhere
in my heart
to a world where no one's ever been before
that's when I find myself
not quite sleeping
but still dreaming
and i'm worlds away..

- - -